Crew Nation: Live Nation launches global relief fund for live music crews

Apr 3, 2020

“Crew members are the backbone of the live music industry”

Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. With concerts currently on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living.

Crew Nation was created to do just that.

The fund will provide monetary relief for concert crew members impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, which has widely cancelled concerts, festivals and other live events since it began spreading across the U.S. and Europe earlier this month.

Crew Nation has been designed to help all the backstage staff that help bring concerts to life including tour managers, production managers, riggers, sound engineers, backline techs, lighting directors/designers, special effects teams, carpenters and more.

“Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes.

“As COVID-19 puts concerts on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living. Crew Nation was created to do just that.

“Crew members are the backbone of the live music industry, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting them through this temporary intermission until we can once again unite millions around the world through the power of live music,” Live Nation says.

“Thanks for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at a show again soon.”

Live Nation has committed $10 million to the fund, split between a $5 million donation directly to the fund and another $5 million to match contributions by artists, fans and employees dollar-for-dollar. Crew Nation is powered by Music Forward Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization, that will be administering the fund.

Live Nation will be reaching out to crew members from tours across the globe whose income has already been affected due to the cancellation or rescheduling of a Live Nation event. Music Forward Foundation will be selecting recipients based on an objective determination of need. The company will be releasing an application for live music crews across the industry in the coming weeks.